Indrakantha Welgama - MD (Com.Med), FRSPH

Experience

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  Gampola Hospital

  Mar 2007 - Feb 2010

  Surgical Medical Officer (SHO)

  Performed general ward management and attended to emergency and routine surgical cases. Assisted the Consultant surgeon in all types of major surgeries, independently performed routine intermediate surgeries (Appendicectomies, Herniotomies and Herniorrhaphies, Varicose vein surgeries, skin graftings etc) and also basic orthopedic procedures (MUA, External fixations and POP applications etc). In addition, performed emergency surgical procedures such as IC tube insertions, Venous cut downs, Endotracheal intubations etc. Managed the general surgical wards, the Accident and Emergency unit and also the Surgical Outpatient clinics at Gampola Hospital. Gained experience in disaster response and recovery processes in a hospital setting and was also involved with the initial drafting of the emergency response protocol of the hospital, in disaster situations. Was also the Secretary of the Gampola Hospital Clinical Society, which was involved with capacity building and welfare of the medical officers of the hospital. Show less

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  Cardio Thoracic Surgery Unit, General Hospital ,Kandy, Sri Lanaka

  Feb 2010 - Jan 2011

  Surgical Medical Officer

  Assisted all types of major Cardio-thoracic surgeries including CABG Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (both on-pump and off-pump), Aortic Root replacements, Cardiac Valve replacements, Excision of Atrial Myxomas and Correction of Fallot's Tetralogy etc. Also assisted with Cardiac septal defect closures, Pulmonectomies and lung lobectomies and also with minor surgeries such as lung biopsies, Opening and closing Midline Thoracotomies and Vein harvesting for CABG. In addition, managed the Cardio-Thoracic High Dependency unit as well as the Cardio thoracic wards and out patient clinics. Show less

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  Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo

  Jan 2011 - Feb 2012

  PGIM Trainee in MSc Community Medicine

  Was an Internal Student at the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, enrolled in a taught course which led to the successful completion of the MSc (Community Medicine) examination. In addition, conducted a dissertation titled "Circumstances and effects of sustaining fractures in Sri Lanka", following a hospital based research study.

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  MOH Office, Homagama, Sri Lanka

  Feb 2012 - Apr 2013

  Additional Medical Officer of Health

   Assisted with ensuring the good health of the community in an area spanning approximately 120 sq.km within the Colombo District of Sri Lanka, with a resident population of over 228,000, living in urban, semi urban and rural communities, as well as an addition transient worker population of over 10,000, employed at the Industrial Zones within the area. Conducted field maternal & childcare clinics for ante natal screening of pregnant mothers , infants and pre-school children.  Conducted school medical inspections in the area to screen school children for disease as well as to assess their growth and nutritional status.  Led the area Dengue crisis control group, co-ordinating the Dengue prevention and control activities, which included the public health workers, the public administration officers, the local area police and local community group members, and were very successful in reducing the Dengue incidence from a very high level to a very low level in the district, in a very short time period, through the use of effective, community led, sustainable mosquito breeding prevention programmes in the area.  Involved with the preparations and readiness for crisis prevention during floods, which affected families living within the low lying areas adjescent to the rivers within the MOH area.  Conducted field health education & promotion programmes for field health worker, medical undergarduates and the community. Conducted advocacy and awareness programmes on control of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and first aid  Organized and supervised communicable disease control programmes in the area, including the investigation and treatment of common disease conditions within the MOH area. Assisted with administration & management of the MOH office, and drafting of official letters and documents, notes and reports to the external stakeholders including the regional government officials and local politicians and community leaders. Show less

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  Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  May 2013 - Aug 2013

  PGIM Trainee in MD Community Medicine

  Was an Internal Student at the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, enrolled in a taught course which led to the successful completion of the MD (Community Medicine) - Part 1 Examination.

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  University of Sri Jayewardenepura

  Sept 2013 - Jun 2015

  MD Trainee Registrar in Community Medicine

   As an MD trainee registrar in Community Medicine, the design and implementation of a large-scale research project was the main activity during this period. This included the development of the research pre-proposal, detailed proposal and obtaining the Ethics clearance from the Medical Ethics review committee. The development of the relevant project plans, the planning of the logistics and support services, development of the budget and handling of the funds within the budget limitations were important aspects of the research study. In addition, numerous indicators were developed and implemented to monitoring and evaluation of the study at predefined time points. The successful completion of the study, final thesis writing, as well as the presentation of the study and its results were successfully performed later. Several components of this study were further presented as scientific papers at international research sessions, as highlighted in below sections.  As part of the relevant literature survey, a vast amount of knowledge and experience was gained within the domain of non-communicable diseases.  As part of the teaching duties, the delivery of formal lectures, conducting tutorials, assisting in examinations and field studies in Community Medicine for medical undergraduates were also performed. Conducted Maternal & Child health clinics of the Boralesgamuwa Medical Officer of Public Health (MOH) area, which included screening of children and ante natal assessment of pregnant mothers, as a continuity of the clinical work experience. Assisted with the health screening of school children for diseases, in the above MOH area.  Visiting Lecturer in Community Medicine, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura Visiting Lecturer in Community Medicine, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura Show less

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  Office of the Regional Director of Health Services - Colombo, Sri Lanka

  Aug 2015 - Dec 2015

  Medical Officer, Non Communicable Diseases control unit

   Main focal point for coordination of activities relating to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the district, mainly in relation to heart diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and injuries (including occupation injuries) NCD Programme planning, design and implementation within the district  Programme budgeting, financial management, information management and monitoring and evaluation of NCD programmes  Coordinate between the national programme for control of NCDs at the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka and the field level healthcare service providers (including inter-sectoral collaboration with other stakeholders) Organize and coordinate regional level training and advocacy programmes Organize district level meetings and reviews  Organizing and coordination field level health screening programmes for NCDs among workers, private sector employees and community groups, in partnership with the private sector institutions, Non-Governmental organizations, Community groups and trade unions. Assist with the office-based activities such as drafting of official letters, minutes and reports, and writing talking points and discussion points for regional level meetings. Conduct health education programmes Assist with mobile health screening programmes including medical screening of attendees especially for symptoms and signs of non-communicable diseases Show less

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  IOM - UN Migration

  Dec 2015 - Jun 2017

  National Physician (Migration Health) - NO A

   Conduct outbound immigration health assessments as a panel physician, adhering to the technical instructions of the receiving countries, namely the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia Education Services.  Counselling and referring applicants for specialized health services. Conduct pre-departure and pre-embarkation health assessments for United States bound refugees. Performed international medical escort duties for high risk patients in their travel to the United States of America. Uploading and managing information over online based health assessment systems including eMedical system Provision of technical advice on health issues of migrants and refugees Administration and coordination of health screening activities at the Migration Health Assessment Center (MHAC), Colombo. Assist the Chief Medical Officer with the general administration, management, budgeting, finance and logistics management of the IOM Migration Health Unit in Colombo. Assist with arranging and conducting international migration health forums and workshops.  Assist with migration health related activities conducted in collaboration with the health ministry and other external stakeholders. Show less

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  District General Hospital, Negombo

  Jul 2017 - Jun 2018

  Medical Officer - Dengue Control and Preventive health care

   Assessment of risk of Dengue within the hospital premises Identification and implementation of Dengue prevention activities within the hospital premises, in collaboration with the public health unit of hospital Involved with the conduct of maternal deaths investigations and perinatal death reviews in the hospital Involved with the conduct of the Dengue deaths reviews of the hospital  Conducted the weekly nutrition clinic

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  Ministry of Health - Sri Lanka

  Jun 2018 - May 2019

  Medical Officer - Non Communicable Disease Control Unit

   Involved with the development of national level annual action plans for Non-Communicable disease control, with a results-based management approach. Involved with the monitoring and evaluation of the field level NCD control programmes through the supervision and improvement of Healthy Lifestyle Clinics throughout the country Coordinated the development of national policies and guidelines, especially for the management of Hyperlipidaemia in primary healthcare settings in Sri Lanka Coordinated the implementation of national NCD policies and guidelines, through the conduct and coordination of Trainings of Trainers (TOT) programmes for the specialist physicians in the peripheral districts of Sri Lanka, as a measure towards the dissemination of the new guidelines and policies on control of Cardiovascular diseases, Respiratory diseases and the control of the Metabolic syndrome, throughout the country. Coordinated and assisted with the conduct of the “short film competition on harmful sugar consumption” among schoolchildren and school media clubs in the country, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.  Assist with the office-based activities of the unit including drafting official letters and reports, note taking and summarizing meeting discussions, writing meeting minutes, writing talking points and discussion points etc. Involved with non-communicable disease health promotion programmes in the country Show less

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  IOM - UN Migration

  Jun 2019 - May 2021

  National Migration Health Physician - NO B

  • Deputy administrative officer and the senior national officer of the newly established Inbound Health Assessment Programme (IHAP) of the Health Ministry of Sri Lanka, implemented by the UN Migration Agency (IOM), and functioning under the IOM Chief Migration Health (Inbound) Officer (International position).• Management of the clinic staff and activities, which include radiography unit, medical laboratory, phlebotomy unit, counselling and translation services, registration and support services• Assist with the administration of the center, procurement and logistics, financial and human resources activities of the center• Coordination with the Health Ministry, it’s quarantine unit and other national disease control programmes• Coordination with other external stakeholders including immigration officials, foreign offices, employers and suppliers• Provide technical support in the development and amendment of Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and Technical Instructions (TIs) of the IHAP• Provide expert advice and assistance to staff and the clients on issues arising during the health assessments• Conduct immigration health assessments on the resident visa applicants to Sri Lanka Show less

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  Ministry of Health - Sri Lanka

  Jun 2021 - Jan 2023

  Senior Registrar - Directorate of Non Communicable Disease Control

  Coordinate the healthy diet promotion programme related to the control of Non Communicable Diseases. Handling the media promotion of the National salt reduction programme.

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  University of Birmingham

  Jan 2023 - now

  Research Fellow - Global Health

  Preparation of global health research proposals under guidance. Conducting qualitative research on healthcare quality improvement , especially in the emergency department in LMICs, in relation to care of injuries and trauma. Conducting quantitative research related to trauma registries and trauma care in multi country settings.Analysis of large datasets using STATA.Preparation and submission of research manuscripts. Undergraduate teaching.